ML19269B846

Responds to 781220 Const Forecast Panel Questions.Reviews Progress Since Aug 1978.Fuel Load Projected to Be 790701 Because of Boilermakers' Strike & Design Change to Incorporate Kwu Quenchers

ML19269B846
Person / Time
Site:	LaSalle
Issue date:	01/12/1979
From:	Reed C COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
To:	Parr O Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 7901170260
Download: ML19269B846 (9)

Text

"a , Commonwealth Edison

, *4 One First National Plaza, Chicago, Illinois Address Reply to: Post Office Box 767 Chicago, Illinois 60690 January 12, 1979 Mr. O. D. Parr, Chief Division of Project Management Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Subject:

Caseload Forecast Panel Update of the LaSalle County Station Unit 1 Fuel Load Date NRC Docket No. 50-373 Reference (a) : O. D. Parr letter to L. O. DelGeorge dated 12/20/78

Dear Mr. Parr:

Enclosed are responses to the Construction Forecast Panel questions relative to LaSalle County Unit 1, transmitted to Commonwealth Edison in Reference (a). We appreciate this opportunity to review with you the construction progress on this project since August 1978, which has been significant notwith-standing a work stoppage in September 1978 due to a union strike.

The LaSalle Unit 1 fuel load is projected by Commonwealth Edison to be July 1, 1979. This represents an adjustment of approximately 3 months from the previously projected March 30, 1979 fuel load date. This adjustment can be attributed to (a) the impact of the September 1978 Boilermaker's strike; and (b) the design change to incorporate KWU quenchers. The replacement of the reactor recirculation inlet thermal sleeves and safe-ends, although not expected to impact the July 1, 1979 schedule, also contributed to the decision to reassess the March 1978 date.

The September strike impact caused a three week actual working time loss plus a lingering craft manpower shortage problem which extended through December. Mechanical and electrical installation quantities prior to the September strike were keeping pace with those necessary to meet the March 1979 fuel load date.

Mechanical installation quantities reached pre-strike quantities in early December and are still rising. Electrical installation

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Commonwealth Edison NRC Docket No. 50-373 Mr. O. Parr: January 12, 1979 quantities are fast approaching the pre-strike quantities. A more complete summary of the actual quantities involved are provided in the responses to the referenced forecast panel questions.

The impact of the KWU Quencher and reactor recirculation changes will be amplified in the answers to Questions 8 and 9.

Since the August 1978 NRC site visit, several major milestone activities have been completed. The Reactor Pressure Vessel Integrated Flush was completed September 6, 1978. During the week of December 24, 1978, the Primary Containment Structural Integrity Test was successfully completed. Fuel receipt commenced on January 3, 1979. All activities were completed as scheduled.

In light of these accomplishments, it is important to recognize that the July 1, 1979 fuel load date identified in this letter does not only represent a construction projection but rather a primary objective of the Commonwealth Edison Company. Every effort is being made to preserve the viability of that date including necessary commitments of manpower and money. Although the July 1, 1979 schedule is admittedly optimistic when viewed in the light of average performance within the nuclear industry, it is our firmly held judgement that July 1, 1979 can be achieved by Commonwealth Edison barring some currently unforeseen event (s) and assuming continued performance both on and off the job site at levels currently achievable. We do not, however, minimize the magnitude of the task; it is in fact judged that slippages in material deliveries could impact the July 1, 1979 date. In addition, our ability to integrate the preoperational test program with on-going construction activities may impact the July 1, 1979 date. However, our experience in the construction management and startup of seven previous nuclear units convinces us that the uncertainty associated with the July date is no greater than two months. For this reason, we must take strong exception to the current NRC forecast date for LaSalle Unit 1 of December 1979 which we believe does not give due consideration to this utility's previous experience As has been stated, we appreciate this opportunity to review with you the on-going construction activities on LaSalle County Unit 1. Detailed responses to the questions contained in Reference (a) are enclosed as an attachment to this letter. In the event you have any further questions, please direct your

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Conunonwealth Edison NRC Docket No. 50-373 Mr. O. Parr: January 12, 1978 inquiry to this office. As has been discussed with Mr. A. Bournia of your Staff, we will be available to review the information presented herein with your Staff on January 23, 1979 in the event you are unable to agree with the July 1, 1979 fuel load date projected by Commonwealth Edison for LaSalle County Unit 1.

Very truly yours,

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. /[ - n4 Cordell Reed Assistant Vice-President enclosure

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. . Commonwealth Edison NRC Docket No. 50-373 ENC LOSURE Response to NRC Construction Forecast Panel Questions - LaSalle Unit 1 Question 1: General Electric Stress Report General Electric's Stress Report was released in October 1978.

Question 2: Hanger Design Status out of a total of 11,600 hangers on Unit 1, approximately 900 hangers have not been released for fabrication. About 100 of these hangers are on the safety / relief valve (S/RV) discharge lines in the supprcssion pool which is a new design. We expect release of the S/RV hangers by 2/1/79, with release of all hanger by 3/1/79.

Question 3a: Large Bore Piping Of the 8,809 Unit 1 spools required for commercial operation, 8,590 spools or 98% are installed. Essentially large

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bore piping work is complete. The remaining spools fall in three categories. The first category represents major design changes where existing installed spools are being replaced. These changes are primarily in the heater drain and main steam safety valve discharge piping systems. This category represents 139 spools.

The heater drain piping change installation work is in progress.

The main steam safety valve discharg piping installation work will start March 1, 1979 with completion in May 1979. The second category represents 36 permanent spools which are required as replacements for temporary piping spools installed for design tests or flushing operations. These flanged spools will be installed as required in accordance with preoperational test program needs. The thrid category represents 43 spools. These spools are being withheld to facilitate construction access. Again, these spools will be installed as required for preoperational test program needs.

Question 3b: Small Bore Piping Approximately 69,000 lineal feet out of 256,000 lineal feet of 2" and under piping and instrumentation piping remain to be installed. Current installation rates of 16,000 lineal feet per month indicate a completion data of May 1. Since a portion

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of this piping is for equipment drain'., it is expected that all 2" and under piping, required for preop. testing, will be complete near April 1. Based on our current status, it is also expected that installation activity can casily be sequenced to permit preop. testing on many systems prior to the completion of 2" and under piping.

Question c: Hanger / Snubber Installation The estimated total of hangers and snubbers yet to be installed is 4,000 (includes those yet to be released for fabrication and delivered). Over 60% of this total are seismic restraints which do not significantly impact the preop. test program. The remaining supports are expected to be installed by May 1979. All hanger erection is currently being sequenced with preoperation test schedule requirements to avoid delays in the test program.

Question 3d: Hanger / Snubber Fabrication & Delivery The estimated total of hangers and snubbers remaining to be shipped to site (including those still to be released for fabrication)is 3,000. The estimated total number of hangers /

snubbers / restraints required for Unit 1 is 11,600 Based on current manufacturing information, all supports should be shipped by March with the possible exception of the main steam relief valve line supports which may not be complete entil April.

Question 3e: Cable Installation The current number of estimated cables for Unit 1 is 15,500. As of December 1978, 9,824 cables have been pulled, leaving 5,676 to be pulled by May 1979. This will require that approximately 1,500 cables be pulled por month. In August 1978, 1,435 cables were pulled. In December 1978, the two week average prior to the holidays was 400 cables per week, with a total of slightly over 1,000 cables pulled in December. With the current manpower allocation, it is judged that cable pulling rates of 1500/ month are now readily achievable. This fact combined with sequential pulling of cables by system, insures that the preoperational test program can proceed on its current schedule.

Question 3f: Cabic tray Installation Cable tray installation in all Unit 1 builing is substantially complete. In this regard, unless other critoria

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Commonwealth Edison Imc Docket No. 50-373 need to be addressed it is judged that the fire protection audit for this site should now be scheduled. Mr. Bournia of your Staff informally identified 90% of cable trays installed as the controlling prerequisite for such an audit.

Question 3g conduit installation continues to be the highest electrical schedule priority. As of January 1, 48,380 lineal feet of conduit representing 36% of the total Unit 1 footage remains to be installed. The current installation rate continues to rise based on increased production due to the night shift. In addition, the remaining conduit is comprised of the smaller sizes which will contribute to higher production totals over the next three months. All Unit 1 conduit is scheduled to be completed April 1, 1979.

Question 3h: Cable Terminations currently 13,583 terminations have been completed representing 45% of the estimated total 31,000 terminations required for Unit 1. The termination work continues to closely track the cable pull rates, thus indicating no significant schedule problems in this area.

Question 4a: Draft Preoperational Test Procedures All 107 draft preoperational test procedures are completed.

Question 4b: Draft Preoperation Test Procedures Issued for Comment only one (1) draft preoperational test procedure out of 107 procedures remains in the issued for comment stage.

Question 4c: Preoperation Test Procedures in Final Preparation Currently, forty-five (45) preoperational test procedures are in the final preparation stage. Fifteen (15) procedures are in final typing, twenty-five (25) are in the LaSalle County on-site approval chain and five (5) are in final draft preparation.

These 45 procedures will have final engineering approval by March 1, 1979.

Commonwealth Edison NRC Docket No. 50-373

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Question 4d: Engineering Approval of Preoperationah Test Procedures Ten (10) preoperational test procedures are currently in engineering for approval.

Question 4e: Preoperational Test Procedures Approved Fifty-one (51) of 107 preoperational test procedures are approved.

Question 4f: Preoperational Tests Completed As of December 31, 1978, no preoperational tests are 100%

complete and released for operation. Several tests are more than 75% complete (see response to Question 4g).

Question 4g: Preoperational Tests in Progress As of December 31, 1978, thirteen (13) preoperational tests are ongoing. The rate of system turnover and test performance

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is accelerating. The current schedule shows preoperational testing performance is keeping pace with the requirements necessary to meet the currently projected fuel load date. It is worth noting that a significant number of systems have been flushed 65% and also hydroed. This fact contributes to the judgement that the completion of preops will accelerate over the coming months.

Question 5: Overall Percent Complete The overall Unit 1 completion percentage as of December 31, 1978 is 81%.

Question 6: Turbine Shield Wall Concrete Turbine shield wall concrete formwork is in progress.

Current plans are to complete the concrete pours the week of February 19, 1979.

Question 7: Cable Pulled Per Month Since 8/1/78 The lineal feet of cable pulled per month since August 1, 1978 is as follows:

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Commonwealth Edison NRC Docket No. 50-373 Month Lineal Feet Pulled August 1978 426,653 September 1978 50,040 (Boilermaker Strike)

October 1978 191,498 November 1978 243,966 December, 1978 270,344 During September 1978, the project was shut down by a boilermaker's strike. Essentially, the above quantities of cable pulled represents only 3 1/2 months of productive pulling work -- the balance of the time being the strike and strike recovery period. The lineal feet of cable pulled per month will continue to increase as the cables per month increase. Cable pulling is being sequenced to support the preoperational test program requirements.

Question 8: Replacement of Thermal Sleeves and Safe-Ends As stated earlier, the replacement of the thermal sleeves and safe-ends contributed to the three month delay in the March 1979 fuel load date. This modification work is not the schedule controlling factor and will be completed prior to the July 1, 1979 projected fuel load date. It is important to note that the recirculation pipe which was scheduled for initial cutting on 2/1/79 has been rescheduled for cutting on 1/20/79. Full scale mock-up tests of the tooling involved was conducted during the week of 1/8/79. All prerequisite engineering is complete. This job is proceeding ahead of schedule.

Question 9: Mark II Containment Schedule Impact The decision to install the KNU Quencher design was perhaps the greatest contributing factor to the three month delay in the March 1979 fuel load projected date. Expediting of support design for the main steam relief valve piping and delivery of the quenchers is receiving the highest priority. Work has

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Commonwealth Edison NRC Docket No. 50-373 started in the Suppression chamber for quencher supports in the basemat. The quencher supplier has committed to complete equipment deliveries by March 24, 1979. All associated S/RV piping spools are currently in fabrication and are scheduled for initial delivery to the site by 2/1/79. All remaining hangers (see question 2) will be released for fabrication by 2/1/79.

Although it is recognized that the completion of this work as scheduled will be a major accomplishment, present hardware commitments indicate that this work should be completed prior to the July 1, 1979 projected fuel load date.